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Semicolon: Memoir of a Colon Cancer Survivor
Semicolon takes a frank but humorous, and often witty, look at the procedures and events surrounding one man's journey through colorectal cancer. Mark takes on the serious, at times frightening, and potentially deadly issues. It will enlighten and entertain you at the same time.A portion of the proceeds from every book sold are donated to the Colon Cancer Alliance to fund colon cancer research and advocacy.
180 pages, Paperback
First published July 14, 2014
6 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Mark T. Arsenault
29 books28 followersMark is a top selling and award-winning author of a number of books, including Beat the Curve with Brian Tracy and Semicolon; Memoir of a Colon Cancer Survivor. Mark has studied, researched, written and spoken for more than fifteen years in the fields of history, business, corrections and psychology. He’s been quoted in SUCCESS Magazine, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and The New York Times.
Mark is happily married and has two children. He has provided foster care, and also provided respite care for other foster parents. He is active in his community and donated time as a volunteer speaker with several community programs as a way to “pay forward” what he’s gained from his study of personal development.
To learn more about Mark’s work, visit his web site at http://MarkTruth.com. Visit Mark’s author page on Amazon.com at http://bit.ly/Mark-on-Amazon.
Mark is happily married and has two children. He has provided foster care, and also provided respite care for other foster parents. He is active in his community and donated time as a volunteer speaker with several community programs as a way to “pay forward” what he’s gained from his study of personal development.
To learn more about Mark’s work, visit his web site at http://MarkTruth.com. Visit Mark’s author page on Amazon.com at http://bit.ly/Mark-on-Amazon.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 8, 2017
Below is a short sample from the original blog upon which this book is based:
Part 1: The Good News Is…
July 26, 2009
For some time I’ve been dealing with a medical issue, which many of you already know. A number of concerned folks have been asking me what the outcome of recent doctor’s visits and tests is. I’ve talked to those closest to me (including family and friends). I’ve decided to put it into writing and let the rest of you in on what’s going on with me.
The short answer: I was recently diagnosed with colon cancer and I will be having surgery soon to remove it. I expect to be out of work for a month for recovery and then back to normal.
The longer answer is more involved and will also answer many questions people have. If you care to learn more, including events that led up to the diagnosis, my attitude about the situation, prognosis, etc., then please keep reading. If not, I understand completely. At least now you know and the mystery is revealed.
Why Write About It?
I gave a lot of thought to whether or not to write about this and share it with people via the Internet. Ultimately I felt it was a good way to tell my story one more time, to inform people who want to know more details with my having to retell it in person. I am pretty open about things and I don’t mind sharing my experience with people who sincerely want to know (rumor mongers and nosey people, not so much).
I have told the story, discussed my feelings, and discussed the possible prognosis quite a few times already. I love that people care enough to want to know but I am getting tired of telling the tale. Each time I relive some of the emotions. I am already physically fatigued at times. This gives me something to point people to who want to know while giving myself a break from talking about it.
Part 1: The Good News Is…
July 26, 2009
For some time I’ve been dealing with a medical issue, which many of you already know. A number of concerned folks have been asking me what the outcome of recent doctor’s visits and tests is. I’ve talked to those closest to me (including family and friends). I’ve decided to put it into writing and let the rest of you in on what’s going on with me.
The short answer: I was recently diagnosed with colon cancer and I will be having surgery soon to remove it. I expect to be out of work for a month for recovery and then back to normal.
The longer answer is more involved and will also answer many questions people have. If you care to learn more, including events that led up to the diagnosis, my attitude about the situation, prognosis, etc., then please keep reading. If not, I understand completely. At least now you know and the mystery is revealed.
Why Write About It?
I gave a lot of thought to whether or not to write about this and share it with people via the Internet. Ultimately I felt it was a good way to tell my story one more time, to inform people who want to know more details with my having to retell it in person. I am pretty open about things and I don’t mind sharing my experience with people who sincerely want to know (rumor mongers and nosey people, not so much).
I have told the story, discussed my feelings, and discussed the possible prognosis quite a few times already. I love that people care enough to want to know but I am getting tired of telling the tale. Each time I relive some of the emotions. I am already physically fatigued at times. This gives me something to point people to who want to know while giving myself a break from talking about it.
September 5, 2020
A Goodreads friend recommended this to me for research. I wanted a book about someone's personal experience with colon cancer and this was recommended to me. This was the perfect book... exactly what I was looking for. I liked being able to read Mark's thoughts in real time with him because he recorded his thoughts throughout each step instead of reflecting after everything. I felt like I got a glimpse inside the mind of a man with cancer. I also enjoyed Mark's humor throughout the process, despite the absolute hell he was going through.
I didn't like his frequent commentary about the nurses and doctors that spoke English with an accent. I understand that it must have difficult dealing with miscommunication and misunderstandings, but by todays standards it came off as slightly prejudice.
*Possible "spoiler" past here*
It was fascinating to read his experience and then delve into his mother's experience with Stage IV cancer. It was the perfect memoir to see both sides of what it looks like to beat cancer and what it's like to die of cancer. Interesting juxtaposition.
This book had me balling as I read about his daughter and his mother during her final days and moments. Very moving.
Overall, if you want to learn about (colon) cancer from a personal perspective, see what it's like to defeat cancer and to die from it, then this is the perfect book for you!
I didn't like his frequent commentary about the nurses and doctors that spoke English with an accent. I understand that it must have difficult dealing with miscommunication and misunderstandings, but by todays standards it came off as slightly prejudice.
*Possible "spoiler" past here*
It was fascinating to read his experience and then delve into his mother's experience with Stage IV cancer. It was the perfect memoir to see both sides of what it looks like to beat cancer and what it's like to die of cancer. Interesting juxtaposition.
This book had me balling as I read about his daughter and his mother during her final days and moments. Very moving.
Overall, if you want to learn about (colon) cancer from a personal perspective, see what it's like to defeat cancer and to die from it, then this is the perfect book for you!
January 30, 2015
This is a non-fiction story; told in first person. And a very great tale at that . . .
What a gratifying story to have read! For once, I’ve finally gotten to hear first hand from a male’s perspective of what it’s like to walk alongside a diseased relationship. And just as one may have thought ‘tis not a pretty picture. As the story unfolds, this author pours it all out to its readers . . . from diagnosis to recovery. The story has plenty of insight about the scope of this deadly relationship; and what is to be experienced and expected. And as we know, many have actually died from its claws.
More often than not, I've found myself engulfed in reading the woman’s side of the journey. Now to have travelled with this author (Mark) as he took us down his long journey kept me in “awe” . . . just wondering what unexpected twists and turns he'd encounter next. Mark does a fantastic job in pulling the reading into the story; as he recalls or relives what life was like living inside a toxic disease. Amazing how he continued to work and maintain some sense of normalcy while continuously fighting to win the battle against the clutches of this relationship. Every time I hear what this disease does to an individual it just cuts right through to my skin. And it only proves there is no preference for who it shall attack. Yes, there are some losses in this story. But we can be grateful and blessed that this author made his way through the journey; and has discovered there is light at the end of the tunnel. Truly, this is a phenomenal story; and the author is to be commended for his willingness to share his journey. I was highly impressed to learn this author has chosen to donate portion of proceeds to the center for Colon Cancer Alliance. And it’s simply another way to join in the fight . . . Kudos, to this author! Truly, it is a must read.
What a gratifying story to have read! For once, I’ve finally gotten to hear first hand from a male’s perspective of what it’s like to walk alongside a diseased relationship. And just as one may have thought ‘tis not a pretty picture. As the story unfolds, this author pours it all out to its readers . . . from diagnosis to recovery. The story has plenty of insight about the scope of this deadly relationship; and what is to be experienced and expected. And as we know, many have actually died from its claws.
More often than not, I've found myself engulfed in reading the woman’s side of the journey. Now to have travelled with this author (Mark) as he took us down his long journey kept me in “awe” . . . just wondering what unexpected twists and turns he'd encounter next. Mark does a fantastic job in pulling the reading into the story; as he recalls or relives what life was like living inside a toxic disease. Amazing how he continued to work and maintain some sense of normalcy while continuously fighting to win the battle against the clutches of this relationship. Every time I hear what this disease does to an individual it just cuts right through to my skin. And it only proves there is no preference for who it shall attack. Yes, there are some losses in this story. But we can be grateful and blessed that this author made his way through the journey; and has discovered there is light at the end of the tunnel. Truly, this is a phenomenal story; and the author is to be commended for his willingness to share his journey. I was highly impressed to learn this author has chosen to donate portion of proceeds to the center for Colon Cancer Alliance. And it’s simply another way to join in the fight . . . Kudos, to this author! Truly, it is a must read.
October 16, 2015
Why
I am a colon cancer survivor and I enjoyed the book. I liked how he had a sense of humor in the book too. I am happy for him to have the cancer in the past and wish the author the best.
I am a colon cancer survivor and I enjoyed the book. I liked how he had a sense of humor in the book too. I am happy for him to have the cancer in the past and wish the author the best.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews